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HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD-2003-110 Amendment to the Land Use Element - Orange County Comprehensive PlanORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 06-3 AND PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: . August 25, 2003 Action Agenda Item No. C.4.a .SUBJECT: Proposed Amendment to the Land Use Element of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) Yes ATTACHMENT(S): • Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement and Map • Sections of Plan Proposed for Amendment • Orange County Water and Sewer Policy INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig N. Benedict, Ext. 2592 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732 -8181 Chapel Hill 968 -2700 Durham 688 -7331 Mebane (336)227 -2031 PURPOSE: To receive public comment on a proposed- amendment to the Land Use Element of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan to incorporate by reference, the Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement and Map (Attachment 1). BACKGROUND: The Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement was developed by a task force over a period of seven years. Task force membership included elected officials and staff from Orange County, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, and OWASA. The Board of County Commissioners on December 3, 2001 adopted the agreement in its final form. Other task force members adopted the agreement also. This agreement's map was incorporated into the Joint Planning Agreement in 2002 which can be an asset in land use decisions of that area. This map should also be incorporated into the County's plan for its jurisdiction -wide use to guide growth where there are potential water and sewer services. The preamble to the agreement states the following purposes: 1. To provide a comprehensive, County -wide system of service areas for future utility development and interest areas for dealing with private water and wastewater system problems in areas without public water and sewer service. 2. To complement growth management objectives, land use plans and annexation plans in existing agreements, such as the Orange County - Chapel Hill - Carrboro Joint Planning Agreement and Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan. GAComprehensive Planning Div\GENE\2003 Public Hearings\Aug 25 \WSMPBA +LUE Abstract.doc in i 3. To resolve in advance and preclude future conflicts about future service areas and annexation areas. 4. To provide for predictable long -range water and sewer capital improvement planning and financing. 5. To provide for limitations on water and sewer service in certain areas, as defined. Linking the Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement with the Land Use Element of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan is part of an overall strategy to align local government land use decisions with public water and sewer permitted areas. Accordingly, inconsistent requests for land use amendments by third persons seeking connection to public water and sewer systems would not be recommended for approval. This method is used in other areas around the country to ensure that local government utility plans and land use plans are not thwarted through demands by land owners and the development community insisting that public water and sewer connections be made contrary to the planned service area of the utilities. Proposed amendments include: 1. Incorporating the Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement and Map (Attachment 1) as Appendix G to the Land Use Element of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan. 27 Adding the following text (Attachment 2) to sections 2.3 (WATER RESOURCES), 3.5 (LAND USE GOALS AND DRAFT POLICIES), and 4.1 (OVERVIEW OF IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES) of the Plan: A task force composed of elected officials and staff from Orange County, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, and OWASA deve loped over a period of seven years, a Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement and Map that depicts primary service areas and long -term interest areas. The Board of County Commissioners adopted the agreement in its final form on December 3, 2001. The Agreement and Map are incorporated as Appendix G to this plan. 3. Reviewing policies included in the Orange County Water and Sewer Policy (Attachment 3) approved April 3, 1989 and amended September 3, 1991, but never incorporated into the Land Use Element of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. RECOMMENDATION(S): Planning Staff recommends approval of the proposed amendment. The Administration recommends that the proposed amendment be referred to the Planning Board for a recommendation to be returned to the BOCC no sooner than October 1, 2003. GAComprehensive Planning Div1GENE12003 Public Headngs\Aug 251WSMPBA +LUE Abstract.doc 2 Attachment 1 WATER AND SEWER MANAGEMENT, PLANNING AND BOUNDARY AGREEMENT TIYS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this 5 day of , Q-0o! , by and between the COUNTY OF ORANGE, a political subdivision of the State of North Carolina; the TOWN OF CARRBORO, the TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL, and the TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH, municipal corporations duly created and existing under the laws of North Carolina; and the ORANGE WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY, a public water and sewer authority duly created and existing under Chapter 162A, Article 1 of the North Carolina General Statutes. WITNESSETH: In consideration of mutual benefits regarding the definition of water and sewer service boundaries and the management and planning thereof, the parties to this agreement hereby mutually agree as follows: A. Charge to the Water and Sewer Boundary Task Force Since the mid- 1980's, several attempts to define water and sewer service boundaries for Orange County and the municipalities of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough have been undertaken. In 1994, a Task Force was formed consisting of elected officials from Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough and Orange County, as well as two members of the Orange Water and Sewer Authority Board of Directors. The charge to the Water and Sewer Service Boundary Task Force is attached as Appendix B. B. Purpose of Water and Sewer Boundary Agreement 1. To provide a comprehensive, County -wide system of service areas for future utility development and interest areas for dealing with private water and wastewater system problems in areas without public water and sewer service. 065 066 2. To complement growth management objectives, land use plans and annexation plans in existing agreements, such as the Orange County - Chapel Hill - Carrboro Joint Planning Agreement and Joint Planning Area Land Use Plan 3. To resolve in advance and preclude future conflicts about future service areas and annexation areas. 4. To provide for predictable long -range water and sewer capital improvement planning and financing. 5. To provide for limitations on water and sewer service in certain areas, as defined. LATE A � RM . A. Effective Date of the Agreement This agreement shall become effective upon execution by all of the parties and signature by the chief elected or appointed.official. B. Term of Agreement This agreement shall remain in effect for ten (10) years from its execution, and shall be renewable as provided in the following subsection. C. Procedure for renewal At the end of each ten year term, the agreement shall renew automatically, unless written notice is provided of intent to withdraw as noted in subsection E below. D. Procedure for proposing and acting on changes in agreement including boundaries 1. Any change to the agreement (including boundaries) requires approval of all parties to the agreement. 0 2. The addition of other parties to this agreement shall be by consent of the current parties. 06[ E. Procedure for withdrawal from/decision not to -renew the agreement 1. A party may not withdraw from the agreement, until it holds a public hearing on the proposed withdrawal followed by written notice to the other parties within 30 days of the public hearing. The withdrawal shall be effective one (1) year following receipt by the other parties of the written notice. 2. If a party to the agreement withdraws as provided above, the agreement remains in effect as to the other parties until all but one party withdraws in the manner provided for the in this agreement. F. Accountability of Future Parties Future utility providers that wish to become parties of this agreement must be financially and technically capable of providing water /sewer service to address public health emergencies or other identified public facility needs, as defined by the parties of the boundary agreement. The provider must have adequate system capacity, technical capability and financial assets to address system problems within its interest area without compromising service to current customers. G. Courtesy Review of Development Proposals Within Service and Interest Areas The water and sewer providers that are parties to this agreement will be provided courtesy review and the right to provide written input into utility design and the provision of easements for all new major subdivisions and other residential and non- residential site plan approvals within their service area and 3 )M' ! interest area. The party to this agreement with development plan review authority shall retain approval authority for all development proposals within its planning jurisdiction. H. Linkage with the Orange County - Chapel Hill - Carrboro Joint Planning Agreement and other future agreements This agreement shall be made part of the Orange County- Chapel Hill - Carrboro Joint Planning Agreement, by reference, and to any future cooperative planning agreements that may be entered into among some or all of the parties. Termination of the Joint Planning Agreement or any other cooperative planning agreement does not terminate this agreement. Termination of this agreement can only be accomplished as provided in this agreement. Similarly, the withdrawal of a party from the Joint Planning Agreement or from any other cooperative planning agreement does not constitute withdrawal from this agreement. Withdrawal from this agreement can only be accomplished as provided in this agreement. Primary Service Area: An area (as shown on the Water and Sewer Service Boundary Map, which is Appendix A) where water and/or sewer service is now provided, or might reasonably be provided in the future, according to adopted plans and future amendments to adopted plans (hereinafter referred to as "service area ")2 . Z Asper the map in Appendix A, the Town of Hillsborough Lottg- -Term Interest Area and Primary Sm ice Area are combined and or f purposes of this agreement is its Primary Service Area OWASA Long -Term Interest Area: An area (as shown on the Water and Sewer Service Boundary Map, which is Appendix A) within which public water and/or sewer service is not anticipated to be made, but if such services are to be provided, OWASA will be the responsible utility service provider. Long -Term Interest Areas are not service areas, and do not include areas outside of Orange County. 11 089 OWASA's Long -Term Interest Area is hereinafter referred to as OWASA's "interest area." Orange County Long -Term Interest Area: The areas of Orange County planning jurisdiction (as shown on the Water and Sewer Service Boundary Map, which is Appendix A) not part of a Primary Service Area or another Long -Term Interest Area within which public water and/or sewer service is not anticipated to be made, but if such services are to be provided, Orange County will be responsible for coordinating the provision of utility service. Long -Term Interest Areas are not service areas, and do not include areas outside of Orange County. Orange County's Long -Term Interest Area is hereinafter referred to as Orange County's "interest area." Essential Public Facility: A publicly -owned facility, or a facility wholly financed by Federal, State or local government (or a combination thereof) that provides a service for the health, safety and general welfare of County residents (for example, a school, fire station, public safety substation or solid waste convenience center). Adverse Public Health Condition: An Adverse Public Health Condition exists in the case of a wastewater system(s) when it is (1) failing, (2) documented to be failing by the Orange County Health Department, and (3) no on -site repair is approvable or recommended by the Orange County Health Department; or, in the case of a well water supply system, it meets all of the following criteria: ♦ the well water supply system is contaminated with a microbial, chemical or other agent which is known to cause disease or other serious health effects; ♦ the well water supply system is not reparable to the point where the contamination can be eliminated; ♦ the water from the well water supply system is not treatable prior to withdrawal to the point where the threat of disease or serious health effects is eliminated; ♦ there is no alternate location on -site for a new well water supply system which can be permitted under Orange County Health Department regulatory 079 criteria in effect at the time of the contamination or an alternative site is unacceptable because widespread existence of contamination or because of the potential of contaminant migration to the alternate site. A description of these terms and their application is provided in Section VI of this Agreement. Public Water or Public Sewer Service: The provision of water and/or sewer service by a party to this agreement. This definition does not include consulting services and/or technical assistance services. Emergency Water Transfer: Any short-term transfer of raw water supply or finished drinking water supply from one service provider to assist another service provider in meeting water needs during: a) unanticipated disruptions or emergencies relating to raw or finished water supply. Such disruptions or emergencies may result from events including, but not limited to: (i) human error; ii) equipment or power failure; iii) supply contamination; iv), major fires, floods, droughts or other disasters; and v) operations or facility maintenance activities, or b) periods when temporary, short-term disruption of water supply or finished water service may occur as a result of planned or unplanned maintenance of major water supply, pumping, transmission, treatment, or storage facilities. Non - Emergency Water Transfer: Any transfer from one water service provider to another water service provider of raw water supply or finished drinking water supply which is not an emergency water transfer. Wastewater Transfer: Any transfer from one wastewater service provider to another wastewater service provider. Water and/or Sewer Provider: A municipal corporation, county, private non - profit water system, or public water and sewer authority G under the N.C. General Statutes that provides water and/or sewer service to the public. A. Service Areas and Interest Area Boundaries The service area and interest area boundaries are as shown in Appendix A. B. Adherence to Boundaries 1. The boundaries on the map (Appendix A) define the areas in which the parties may provide water and sewer service, and no party to this agreement shall extend service beyond the designated boundaries, except as provided in this agreement. In no case shall service be extended beyond the boundaries of Orange County without the approval of the elected boards which exercise planning jurisdiction on either side of the County boundary. Any extension of lines or service into Chatham County requires , the approval of Orange County, Chapel Hill or Carrboro, and OWASA. 2. OWASA presently provides water and sewer service outside of the OWASA Service Area shown on Appendix A as follows: location service provided Heritage Hills Subdivision water and sewer Rangewood Subdivision water and sewer Piney Mountain Subdivision sewer only 071 472 OWASA may continue to provide water and sewer service and may extend water and sewer service within these subdivisions provided it does so consistent with OWASA policies and interlocal agreements related to these services that exist on the effective date of this agreement. Any change to those policies and interlocal agreements after the effective date of this agreement can only be accomplished by an amendment to this agreement. F ROCED IRO 0 G R DS A. Policy Issues Planning and growth management issues are influenced by the location of water and sewer. This agreement is not intended to supersede other land use agreements made by the local governments. B. Procedures for the provision of service within the Service Areas and Interest Areas 1 When water and sewer service provision is required to address an adverse public health condition, or to provide service to an essential public facility, the designated provider for the service area or interest area shall have the right of first refusal to provide such service. 2. Within the service areas and interest areas, the water and sewer provider will agree to provide service, as defined in this agreement, as system capacity, financial resources, and other reasonable utility considerations allow, and as provided in this agreement. 8 C. Policy of "first- refusal" 1. The designated water and sewer provider within a service area or interest area has first right to provide service if an adverse public health condition or essential public facility service need is established, and public water or public sewer service is determined to be required to address the adverse public health condition. 073 2. If the designated water and sewer provider declines to provide service, it must notify the other parties to the agreement with a statement of rationale. 3. The designated water and sewer provider may contract with another service provider to address the situation, in the manner prescribed in Section VI of this agreement, upon consultation with other jurisdictions. 4. If no other water and sewer provider is available, Orange County retains the right to address the adverse public health condition or essential public facility need in the manner prescribed in Section VI of this agreement. A. Prohibitions and Limitations on Extension Into Interest Areas The development of land within interest areas is not projected to occur at urban densities, and therefore, public water and sewer service shall be prohibited in these areas, except as provided in this agreement {Section VI.B, VI.C, VI.D, VIX, VII.A, VII.B, VII.0 }3. Individual on- site and small/community -scale alternative water supply and wastewater treatment systems not physically connected to central systems will be the primary methods of meeting the water and sewer service needs of existing and future development. 3. ibid. 01 074 B. Adverse Public Health Conditions An exception to the prohibition of public water and sewer service in interest areas may be made to allow the extension of lines in the event the Orange County Health Department documents an "adverse public health condition." An adverse public health condition exists where: 1. In the case of existing wastewater system(s), it meets all of the following criteria: ♦ the wastewater system is failing; ♦ the wastewater system is documented to be failing by the Orange County Health Department; ♦ there is no on -site repair approvable or recommended by the Orange County Health Department. The following terms used in the criteria above mean: Failing Wastewater System: A wastewater system is failing when sewage or effluent is seeping or discharging to the ground surface or to surface waters. A permitted, properly - functioning non - discharge wastewater system (e.g., a spray - irrigation system) and a permitted, properly - functioning discharge system are not failing wastewater systems. Approvable On -Site Repair: An approvable on -site wastewater system repair that can be completed in a designated repair area which is approvable under Orange County Health Department regulatory soil/site criteria in effect at the time of the needed repair. Recommended On -Site Repair: A recommended on -site repair is one that is not an approvable on -site repair, but is one that in the best professional judgment of the Orange County Health Department will reasonably enable the system to function properly. A recommended on -site repair may incorporate engineered design (a design certified by an engineer to overcome all soil/site limitations in the particular situation), site 10 075 or system modification, flow reduction or other measures calculated to improve functionality of the system. 2. In the case of an existing well water supply system(s), it meets all of the following criteria: ♦ the well water supply system is contaminated with a microbial, chemical or other agent which is known to cause disease or other serious health effects; the well water supply system is not reparable to the point where the contamination can be eliminated; ♦ the water from the well water supply system is not treatable prior to withdrawal to the point where the threat of disease or serious health effects is eliminated; ♦ there is no alternate location on -site for a new well water supply system which can be permitted under Orange County Health Department regulatory criteria in effect at the time of the contamination or an alternative site is unacceptable because widespread existence of contamination or because of the potential of contaminant migration to the alternate site. The following terms used in the criteria above mean: Well: A well is any excavation that is cored, bored, drilled, jetted, dug or otherwise constructed for the purpose of locating, testing, developing, draining or recharging any ground water reserves or aquifer, or that may control, divert, or otherwise control the movement of water from or into any aquifer. Well Water Supply System: A well water supply system is any well that is intended for use or is usable as a source of water supply for domestic use (including household purposes, farm livestock, or gardens) and the pump and II 070 pipe used in connection with or pertaining thereto, including well pumps, distribution pipes, plumbing pipes, tanks, fittings, and water treatment devices. The Orange County Health Department shall make the determination as to whether an adverse public health condition exists, and shall make a recommendation on the appropriate remedy to the governmental entity(ies) in the appropriate interest area. The final decision to use any particular means or tool for rectifying any particular adverse public health condition remains, through zoning regulations or other land use ordinances, with the governmental entity or entities having zoning or planning jurisdiction over the area where the adverse public health condition exists. In the Orange County- Chapel Hill - Carrboro Joint Planning Area, the Joint Development Review Areas shall be. used to determine which of the JPA parties shall jointly decide on the appropriate means or tool for rectifying an adverse public health condition. Public water or public sewer lines extended to provide service to an adverse public health condition or essential public facility cannot be used for other purposes or other parties, except as provided in Section VI.D. C. Sizing of Lines Extended Into Interest Areas The extension of public water or public sewer lines into an interest area shall be sized so as to comply with State technical and engineering regulations and only to serve the intended use, as defined in this agreement. However, in the case of a public water line extension, _ provisions shall be made to address adequate line sizing for pressure and volume considerations. D. Controlling Access to Lines In Interest Areas Public water or public sewer lines extended to provide service to an adverse public health condition or essential public facility cannot be used for other purposes or other parties, except to remedy another adverse public health condition. 12 E. Siting of Essential Public Facilities Within Interest Areas 077 The location of some essential public facilities, particularly schools, requires special consideration for access to public water and sewer lines. Where possible, schools shall be sited in a manner that promotes the efficient use of existing water and sewer service. Preferably, a set of criteria governing such situations would be developed based on consultations between the appropriate school boards and the elected officials of affected jurisdictions, and applied as necessary. Publicly -owned facilities other than a public school shall be located in a manner that promotes the orderly provision of water and sewer service. The preferred method of connection is to lines that already exist, or in a manner that would minimize the need to extend existing lines. F. Water and Sewer Service Into /Out of Orange County Water and sewer service of any of the service providers that are parties to this agreement shall not be extended outside of the boundaries of Orange County without the approval of the elected boards which exercise planning jurisdiction on either side of the County boundary. Any extension of lines or service into Chatham County requires the approval of Orange County, Chapel Hill or Carrboro, and OWASA. This approval is not required when water" and sewer service is required as a condition of annexation by the towns of Chapel Hill or, Carrboro. ;yr., :,a�z» -c "�caisx'£+w� A. Emergency Water Transfers (This subsection shall not apply to any system operated by a municipality) 13 NK Emergency water transfers are transfers that: 1. Are made for short-term duration. For the purpose of this Agreement, short-term duration shall be reviewed at 30 days, 60 days and 90 days, with subsequent 90 -day intervals up to one year, as per the following process: a. After 30 days duration; a memo from the chief administrative officials of the service providers will be sent to the managers of the jurisdictions that are parties to this Agreement. The memo shall document the emergency, steps being taken to address the situation, and notify the managers of the potential for a longer period of the emergency water transfer. b. At 60 days, the service provider sending the water shall notify its elected board (or, in the case of OWASA, the member government elected boards) on the status of the emergency and provide opportunity for the boards to review and comment on the situation. The receiving provider shall provide similar information. C. Between 60 days and 90 days from inception of transfer, the elected boards which exercise planning jurisdiction on either side of the boundary in which the service is provided shall review and approve or not approve the continuation of the transfer beyond 90 days. If continuation of the transfer is approved, it may continue for an additional 90 -day period. Approval shall be required for each subsequent 90 -day period, with a maximum emergency water transfer duration of 365 days from inception. Lack of action by the elected boards as provided in this subsection 14 070 constitutes approval for the subsequent 90 -day period. d. At the 30 -day point, the service provider shall determine that adequate water and other resources and facility capacities are available to support the extended emergency transfer without adversely affecting the quality and quantity of water supply and services to customers within its service area, and without adversely affecting environmental quality within its service area; D 2. Are not intended to provide raw or finished water supply necessary to support new growth and development within the service area of the service provider receiving the transfer. Neither parry shall, in planning for future growth and associated increases in water supply needs, rely upon water from the other party supplied under this agreement to serve such growth. a. A service provider experiencing a water emergency and receiving emergency water transfers must agree to act expeditiously and adequately to mitigate and remove the causes of the emergency conditions. B. Non - Emergency Water Transfers (This subsection shall not apply to the Town of Hillsborough until January 1, 2005.) Non - emergency water transfers are only permitted with the approval of the Orange County Board of Commissioners and the elected or appointed boards of the service providers providing and/or receiving the transfer. If OWASA is the service provider, approval must come from the OWASA Board 15 � 'n r of Directors and the elected boards of Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Orange County. C. Wastewater Transfers Wastewater transfers are only permitted with the approval of the Orange County Board of Commissioners and the elected or appointed boards of the service providers providing the transfer. If OWASA is the service provider, approval must come from the OWASA Board of Directors and the elected boards of Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Orange County. I1�iNAG QTHEw$AGREE�N Linkages to Other Agreements There are a number of existing agreements among the parties to this agreement that are relevant to the management and planning of public water. and sewer service. In addition, this agreement and those listed below should all be read together. Where inconsistencies exist, this agreement shall control, except as otherwise provided by law. Included among these relevant agreements with linkages are: Hillsborough- Durham Service Area Agreement • OWASA- Durham Service Agreement • Eno River Capacity Use Agreement • Hillsborough/Orange- Alamance Water Systems Agreement • OWASA- Hillsborough Service Agreement • OWASA- Hillsborough Bulk Water Transfer Agreement • Chapel Hill- Durham Annexation Agreement • Mutual Aid Agreement • Jordan Lake Allocations from NC DEHNR • OWASA Agreements of Purchase and Sale between 1) OWASA and Carrboro, 2) OWASA and Chapel Hill, and 3) OWASA and UNC 16 • OWASA Agreement and Policy related to extensions of water and sewer into University Lake Watershed (applicable to water and sewer service to Rangewood Subdivision and Heritage Hills Subdivision) • OWASA -Orange County Agreements related to Piney Mountain Subdivision sewer service ��f Mad .._ .K . . . . . . A. Water and Sewer Service Boundaries Map B. Charge to the Water and Sewer Boundary Task Force C. Toolbox of Remedies for Adverse Public Health Conditions D. Joint Planning Area Boundary Map E. Comprehensive Plan Land Use Maps for all Orange County local governments, and of Chatham County 17 081 092 THIS AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO THIS , Ede! to the Orange County TO of A ' <lis j To Clerk, Ta bAR tf, . 1pjE of of Chair, DAY OF of Commissioners M-1 CAIj � - �� Mayor, Town of Carrboro May- r' /Town of 14111sborough J V i r i r i 1 oll Chair, OWASA Board of Directors Attest: 7 fx lsg:orangecounty\41701 versionwatsewclean.agt.doc 18 o,� Q �� • CA rk, Town of Chapel Hill oF c a• q.. \'aft q4,,, �o Attest: TO of A ' <lis j To Clerk, Ta bAR tf, . 1pjE of of Chair, DAY OF of Commissioners M-1 CAIj � - �� Mayor, Town of Carrboro May- r' /Town of 14111sborough J V i r i r i 1 oll Chair, OWASA Board of Directors Attest: 7 fx lsg:orangecounty\41701 versionwatsewclean.agt.doc 18 .`, �, �,i ��'�.'= 094- - This page left blank intentionally - Attachment 2 • Excerpt from Section 2.3, Water Resources, of the Land Use Element - Orange County Comprehensive Plan The Long Range Water Management Strategy Committee had a different task, recommending the management strategy and financing option best able to supply Orange County with an adequate supply of water. The Committee also reviewed best supply options and, while agreement was not universal, leaned towards a new reservoir in Orange County as the best long -term source with Jordan Lake being pursued as a parallel option. The Committee agreed that the status quo was unacceptable, although no consensus was reached on an end water management structure. Because the Committee concluded that there were desirable benefits to a consolidated water and sewer entity, however, members chose to recommend incremental action as a first step towards meeting the long -range water needs of Orange County. To this end, the Committee recommended the creation of an Orange County Water Board, to be invested with five initial charges; 1) Pursue an allocation from Jordan Lake on behalf of the County and its water providers; 2) Pursue an inter -local agreements with water providers in Alamance County; 3) Work with the County's consulting engineers on Phase If of the Orange County Water Supply study, which would focus on more precise engineering and cost data for the water supply options recommended in the Orange County Water Supply Study, Phase I, released in November 1987; 4) Work cooperatively with the various water and sewer service providers and municipalities in the County, including Mebane and Durham, to identify and develop a joint agreement on service area boundaries (a task force composed of elected officials and staff from Orange County, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, and OWASA developed over a period of seven years, a Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement and Map that depicts primary service areas and long -term interest areas. The Board of County Commissioners adopted the agreement in its final form on December 3, 2001. The Agreement and Map are incorporated as Appendix G to this plan); and, 5) Develop a water conservation program for all of Orange County. With the exception of the first charge, which was constrained by external time limits, no priorities were attached to these responsibilities. 086 Attachment 2 Excerpts from Section 3.5, Land Use Goals and Draft Policies, of the Land Use Element Orange County Comprehensive Plan CATEGORY: COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES GOAL NINE: The provision of water and sewer lines in those areas which can be practically and efficiently served by these facilities. 9.1 Develop and implement a cooperative joint planning process among the County municipalities and those organizations responsible for water and sewer lines to guide the extension of lines in accordance with the land use plans and policies of the affected jurisdictions. A task force composed of elected officials and staff from Orange County, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, and OWASA developed over a period of seven years, a Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement and Map that depicts primary service areas and long -term interest areas. The Board of County Commissioners adopted the agreement in its final form on December 3, 2001 The Agreement and Map are incorporated as Appendix G to this plan 9.2 Establish Urban Service Areas for Chapel Hill, Carrboro, -- Hillsborough, Mebane and Durham which will correspond with the 10 -year and 20 -year Transition Areas. Water and sewer lines should be directed to those areas which contain and are appropriate for higher density levels of residential, commercial, and industrial development. A task force composed of elected officials and staff from Orange County, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, and OWASA developed over a period of seven years, a Water and Sewer Management Planning and Boundary Agreement and Map that depicts primary service areas and loner -term interest areas. The Board of County Commissioners adopted the agreement in its final form on December 3, 2001 The Agreement and Map are incorporated as Appendix G to this plan Attachment 2 Excerpts from Section 3.5, Land Use Goals and Draft Policies, of the Land Use Element Orange County Comprehensive Plan GOAL ELEVEN: Adequate and appropriate sewer disposal facilities for all current and future residents. 11.2 Identify service by centralized water and sewer service systems (Towns of Hillsborough and Mebane, Orange- Alamance Water Systems Incorporated and Orange Water and Sewer Authority) as most appropriate at the higher- density levels which occur in the Urban and Transition Areas. A task force composed of elected officials and staff from Orange County, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, and OWASA developed over a period of seven years, a Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement and Map that depicts primary service areas and long -term interest areas. The Board of County Commissioners adopted the agreement in its final form on December 3, 2001. The Agreement and Map are incorporated as Appendix G to this plan. ": 068 Attachment 2 Excerpt from Section 4. 1, Overview of Implementation Strategies, of the Land Use Element- Orange County Comprehensive Plan Sewer and Water Extension Policy A water and sewer extension policy refers to an official or unofficial policy or policies regarding the expansion of centralized sewer and water systems into previously unserviced areas. The presence or absence of water and sewer facilities significantly affects location and intensity of development in a given area. Without the provision of centralized sewage collection and disposal land can only be developed for rural uses at rural densities. The provision of public services and facilities should not seek to follow private development, but should occur simultaneously with planning efforts to channel development over time in a manner consistent with the goals and policies outlined in the Land Use Plan. Public facilities should be designed to serve a specific purpose given a desired location, density and form of private development. Orange County is presently involved in efforts directed at formulating water and sewer extension policies in coordination with economic and industrial development policies and plans for the County. The County has not played a major role in the provision of water and sewer facilities in the past. A task force composed of elected officials and staff from Orange County, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, and OWASA developed over a period of seven years, a Water and Sewer Management, Planning and Boundary Agreement and Map that depicts primary service areas and long -term interest areas. The Board of County Commissioners adopted the agreement in its final form on December 3, 2001. The Agreement and Map are incorporated as Appendix G to this plan. 4. Amendment to the Land Use Element — Orange County Comprehensive Plan C� a. Incorporate by reference, the Water and Sewer Management Planning and Boundary Agreement and Map adopted December 3, 2001. Craig Benedict showed the Water and Sewer Management Planning and Boundary Agreement and map. By incorporating this into the land use document, there is another opportunity to help with the water and sewer policies. This agreement would set forth the urban service boundary. Commissioner Gordon said that she wonders about the effect of adopting this into the Comprehensive Plan. Craig Benedict said that this map would tell us what would be the maximum limits of water and sewer in the County. Commissioner Gordon said that it does not seem to do anything else for us by incorporating this into the comprehensive plan. Craig Benedict said that this helps in the decision making process and with rezoning regarding water and sewer. Chair Brown said that this is one of the most important documents created in the County. She said that this creates the responsibilities of developing property regarding water and sewer. This also addresses a very creative toolbox of remedies for people with septic systems. There was no public comment for this item. MOTION BY BOCC: A motion was made by Commissioner Gordon, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to accept the Planning's Staff recommendation to refer the proposed amendment to the Planning Board for a recommendation to be returned no sooner than October 1, 2003. VOTE: UNANIMOUS